[ortusdux]

It became a 'wedge issue'. A common tactic in 2-party politics is for a campaign to push their candidate to become indistinguishable from their opponent, and then pick one issue that divides the voter base, hopefully in their favor. It has to be something that your party can rally around and their party can't compromise on. Conservatives are generally pro business and anti government regulation, while liberals are usually pro environment and regulation, hence the battle of climate change.

[watwut]

> Conservatives are generally pro business and anti government regulation,

Conservatives love government regulations. They do not like the kind of regulation that prevents frauds or prevents them from harming others.

But, they like it when government regulates personal lives of their perceived enemies, protects large businesses at the expense of poorer people.